Sun, May 4, 2008 (9:06pm EDT)
A new tribute album for internationally recognized soul singer Toshinobu Kubota has been announced. Unlike the previous tribute album "SOUL TREE" in 2004, this project will feature only musicians outside of Japan.
"The World Sings KUBOTA" contains 11 songs, all with English lyrics, including the hits "Missing" and "La La La Love Song." Stevie B, Take 6, Peabo Bryson, and Swing Out Sister have been revealed as some of the participating artists.
Kubota has been active in the music scene since the mid-1980s. He made his American debut in 1995, and he based himself in New York after that. He has had a very successful career both abroad and in Japan, working with some of the biggest names in soul music.
"The World Sings KUBOTA" is scheduled to go on sale August 6, though it is only planned for release in Japan.
"The World Sings KUBOTA" contains 11 songs, all with English lyrics, including the hits "Missing" and "La La La Love Song." Stevie B, Take 6, Peabo Bryson, and Swing Out Sister have been revealed as some of the participating artists.
Kubota has been active in the music scene since the mid-1980s. He made his American debut in 1995, and he based himself in New York after that. He has had a very successful career both abroad and in Japan, working with some of the biggest names in soul music.
"The World Sings KUBOTA" is scheduled to go on sale August 6, though it is only planned for release in Japan.
Sun, May 4, 2008 (7:14pm EDT)
Two big celebrity weddings took place this weekend in Tokyo. First, V6's Yoshihiko Inohara and actress Asaka Seto held their ceremony and reception in Tokyo's Shinagawa ward on Saturday. The press was shut out from the event, which was attended by about 100 relatives and friends. Among them were the other members of V6, as well as celebrities such as actor Masatoshi Nakamura and young actress Kie Kitano. Inohara and Seto have been officially married since September 29, 2007.
Then on Sunday, L'Arc~en~Ciel bassist tetsu and actress Ayana Sakai, who married near the end of last year, had their own wedding and reception at the Honey's Garden restaurant in Roppongi. Sakai wore a dress she designed herself for her wedding dress brand. Like Inohara and Seto, the couple made it a private affair, though the media was able to later report that tetsu and Sakai were in tears as they read aloud a letter to their parents. The attendees included actor Yu Shirota and model Rica Imai.
Then on Sunday, L'Arc~en~Ciel bassist tetsu and actress Ayana Sakai, who married near the end of last year, had their own wedding and reception at the Honey's Garden restaurant in Roppongi. Sakai wore a dress she designed herself for her wedding dress brand. Like Inohara and Seto, the couple made it a private affair, though the media was able to later report that tetsu and Sakai were in tears as they read aloud a letter to their parents. The attendees included actor Yu Shirota and model Rica Imai.
Sun, May 4, 2008 (5:24pm EDT)
Teen idol group 9nine has their first major CM tie-in with their new song "sky." It is being used in a commercial for Rohto's Lycee eye drops that features popular actress Yui Aragaki. The ad begins airing on Monday.
The song is included on their second album, "second 9," which goes on sale July 9. Another song from the same album titled "Merry-Go-Round" will be used in a commercial for Nexon's MMORPG Mabinogi, and the group's members will also appear in the ad.
9nine formed in 2006 and released their first album in March 2007. Originally a 9-member unit, there are currently only 8 members due to the removal of Rubi Kato (reportedly due to the discovery of her relationship with Hey! Say! JUMP member Yuya Takaki). The group includes fashion model Moe Miura, actress Umika Kawashima, and Sayaka Nishiwaki (the sister of Perfume's A-chan).
The song is included on their second album, "second 9," which goes on sale July 9. Another song from the same album titled "Merry-Go-Round" will be used in a commercial for Nexon's MMORPG Mabinogi, and the group's members will also appear in the ad.
9nine formed in 2006 and released their first album in March 2007. Originally a 9-member unit, there are currently only 8 members due to the removal of Rubi Kato (reportedly due to the discovery of her relationship with Hey! Say! JUMP member Yuya Takaki). The group includes fashion model Moe Miura, actress Umika Kawashima, and Sayaka Nishiwaki (the sister of Perfume's A-chan).
Sun, May 4, 2008 (12:56pm EDT)
Pop star Kumi Koda has been given her first TV commercial campaign since her "rotten womb" comment earlier this year that led to a brief suspension. Now that her nationwide tour is successfully under way, Procter & Gamble has decided to have her start with marketing their Gillette Venus Breeze razor brand. The decision was made at the start of this month and announced on the Gillette website.
Sun, May 4, 2008 (12:45pm EDT)
On Sunday, X Japan announced that they will be holding their first Asia concert on August 2. It will take place at the Taipei World Trade Center in Taiwan.
This is the band's third announced overseas concert since their reunion. They already have scheduled shows in Paris on July 5 and in New York on September 13. More international concert dates are expected to be revealed in the future.
This is the band's third announced overseas concert since their reunion. They already have scheduled shows in Paris on July 5 and in New York on September 13. More international concert dates are expected to be revealed in the future.
